_CoonhoundCompanions.com is embarking on a “senior blitz” to highlight the virtues of adult hounds as pets. Today, we are releasing a new poster, "Long Ears + Maturity = Deep Bonds." The poster is available on our Posters & More page (above). The public should feel free to print out copies of the new and older posters and put them up wherever coonhounds may be awaiting adoption, or wherever else hounds' sterling qualities as pets could use some favorable publicity. Also look forward to a new web page/flyer, “When Older is Best,” and a series of blog posts about senior hound adoption success stories.For example, a picture of Scarlett, an older Walker hound from the mountains of North Carolina, stole the hearts of an Ohio family with her soulful eyes. The captivated family that adopted her runs BarkPark (http://barkpark.org/), a wonderful fundraising organization for animal causes.

Shortly after Scarlett moved to her forever home, BarkPark held a very successful fund raising event for Coonhound Companions. Scarlettstole the show as the ambassador and greeter of the day.

Miss Scarlett, from the Carolinas, adopted into an Ohio family.

_Another example: Moses, a Black and Tan Coonhound who sauntered into the large wards in an urban shelter, managed to grab the attention of a busy Animal Control Officer who was quickly suckered into fostering him. Moses inspired a whole new passion for his new owners who became Black and Tan Coonhound fanciers.If you’re not cautious, you’ll find out firsthand just how lovely a companion a mature hound can be.The new poster highlights the advantages of an adopting an adult hound.While the “cute” factor of pups is undeniable, older dogs are easier to live with and are a better match for many hound lovers. The poster notes that “Coonhounds of a certain age are calmer and wiser.” Adults are past teething, past teenage rebellion, easier to housebreak, their voices have matured past that annoying puppy whine. They have longer attention spans. It’s easier to predict their ultimate personalities and physical characteristics. Those cute puppies pee on carpets, turn your best shoes into chew toys, dig holes in the lawn and the upholstered furniture, and usually destroy at least one remote control while growing up. Adults are far less inclined to such aggravating behavior!Our poster illustrates that adult hounds often still enjoy being active without engaging in exhausting, frenetic behavior. They still like to go for a hike, play on the lawn, or loll on your couch without needing to run a marathon every day. For those with unsettled life plans, adult hounds are a shorter-term commitment. Plus, there are so many adult hounds out there in need of permanent homes.Choosing to adopt a mature dog gives you a lot of choices and the chance to bypass puppy mills while saving the life of a hound with experience. When a hound is experienced at reading humans, its natural eagerness to please contributes to instant bonding.Please check out "Long Ears + Maturity = Deep Bonds,” as well as our earlier posters,""Long Ears = Social Networking," "Long Ears & You = Soulmates," "Long Ears = Lotsa Cute," "Long Ears = Lotsa Fun," and "Long Ears = Lotsa Talent." Download them,post them, and hand them out. Help find homes for coonhounds and foxhounds in your local rescues and shelters.

_ CoonhoundCompanions.com December 21, 20112011 is quickly drawing to a close, along with Coonhound Companions first full year as a non-profit promoting the adoption and public awareness of Coonhounds in shelters through out the Untied States and Canada.

I was the last member of our group to join up, living in the largest urban city in Maine, I don’t see many coonhounds being walked on the streets on Portland. That may be changing due to the efforts of a shelter in Dunn County Humane Society in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Here’s the story: Coonhound Companion founding member Anna lives in Wisconsin, an active volunteer at her local shelter she emailed shelters state wide offering them posters from our site: http://www.coonhoundcompanions.com/posters--more.html beautiful, downloadable posters singing the praises of coonhounds as family pets. She received a great email back from one a shelter in Dunn County, Wisconsin sharing their new brochure helping to “drown” the stereotypes of coonhounds in their area, where they have a lot of coonhounds available for adoption.

Way to go Dunn County Humane Society! I love their creative, fun message.Days later this article in the Kennebec Journal, Augusta Maine caught my eye:

_What a surprise when I read that LL Bean was coming from the Dunn County Shelter!

Coonhound Companion’s efforts and creative shelters like Dunn County ARE making a difference for coonhounds. This is a wonderful way to end the year, and I’m looking forward to spotting this handsome Coonhound being walked on the streets of Portland in the near future.